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You are going to spend at LEAST $1000 for a tranny and 4-500 for a swap. BUT, you also need to swap the ECU and I'm sure there could be some other issues as well. It's really not worth the hassle as you will be spending around $3000 and up to do it.

tranny for subaru (especially we are talking about WRX now)...anything 02+ will cost u at least $1500 i think...plus it's normal to have a diff drive shaft and axle between a manual and an automatic...ECU will be diff and so does some wiring (to let u remove the key while ur car is ONLY in park etc)...labor will be estimated at least another $1000 to $1500...(to do an AT to MT conversion on Honda is already $800 to $1000 labor, it will for sure to be more on a Subaru)...

also u will need also shift linkage, clutch/brake pedal (and maybe gas if all in piece like Honda)...clutch MC and slave...and linings...we are looking at a minimum of $3000+...

and u will also lose ur factory warranty...used tranny usually has about 3 months warranty...

oh btw, u will need a new/used Clutch and flywheel, release bearing (cost $250 or sth at dealer for WRX models!) etc...and IMO there is no point to put in an used clutch...and u might want to machine the flywheel if it's used (depends on the condition)

geez...does it sound like more than $4000 now? w/ the lost of ur 4.5 years warranty on ur drive drain (who knows what they are going to say about ur engine and stuff???)

Once your warranty is over, go nuts on it If you created suhc a bond after 6 months with the car, a swap COULD be worth it but look at everything you lose with it too I've had my car under 2 years but I wouldn't trade it in for a WRX...I'd rather turbo the existing RS and risk blowing it up..hehe.

Once your warranty is over, go nuts on it If you created suhc a bond after 6 months with the car, a swap COULD be worth it but look at everything you lose with it too I've had my car under 2 years but I wouldn't trade it in for a WRX...I'd rather turbo the existing RS and risk blowing it up..hehe.

At the end of the day its your money, your warranty

that's why i did my swap when my car was just over 4 years old...to me...the last year doesn't mean much anymore simply because of all the mod that i have done...i doubt dealer is going to fix anything for me afterwards...

if u are going to TC ur RS...make sure u really have finished doing anything else that u want to do (such like brake upgrades etc)...and do it at the very last minute...and if ur car is getting there for new clutch...maybe put that into ur budget as well...save u trouble save u work...

that's why i did my swap when my car was just over 4 years old...to me...the last year doesn't mean much anymore simply because of all the mod that i have done...i doubt dealer is going to fix anything for me afterwards...

if u are going to TC ur RS...make sure u really have finished doing anything else that u want to do (such like brake upgrades etc)...and do it at the very last minute...and if ur car is getting there for new clutch...maybe put that into ur budget as well...save u trouble save u work...

Yup. I've already budgeted for a BBK, clutch (might as well do flywheel too), etc.

BTW, is the RS and WRX run off the same tranny? I know its a stupid q but...?

Oh, after reading 5zigens it will easily be $4000, actually I think $5000 is more like it. If you want parts that are in good condition....and you want a good job done. It is seriously seriously seriously not worth the hassle. Then you have a frankensteined car that is still basically brand new. Your resell value goes out the window as does your warranty as Eric said. Derek, I don't think it is the same.

haha thanks guys.. well i just really want a manual wrx.. just that my parents are eh.... so i just want to know about the prices and everything :P
oh well... do you guys know if a change in muffler and BOV affects the warranty?
my car got the stupid extend warranty which i cannot refund

IIRC -- another obstacle between A/T and M/T (and the reason why engine electronics and ECU swap is likely very important as 5zigen mentioned) is that the M/T AWD uses a 50/50 viscous center diff (non-electronically controlled), while the A/T AWD system (WRX's at least) use the VTD electronically controlled clutch pack center diff that distributes 45/55. In a way, STi M/T AWD > A/T WRX AWD > M/T AWD in terms of technological advancement.

Another, perhaps more mechanically/electrically feasible performance upgrade path -- but perhaps no less $$ -- is an upgraded torque converter. I think a guy on this board (onlykor?) has done this to his A/T WRX and has been running with it for awhile now.

P.S. There's no shame in A/T so just go out and enjoy your wrx safely -- and word of advice -- upgrade the muffler and enjoy the boxer rumble - but stay away from the BOV if you're on a stock turbo/intake system.

IIRC -- another obstacle between A/T and M/T (and the reason why engine electronics and ECU swap is likely very important as 5zigen mentioned) is that the M/T AWD uses a 50/50 viscous center diff (non-electronically controlled), while the A/T AWD system (WRX's at least) use the VTD electronically controlled clutch pack center diff that distributes 45/55. In a way, STi M/T AWD > A/T WRX AWD > M/T AWD in terms of technological advancement.

Another, perhaps more mechanically/electrically feasible performance upgrade path -- but perhaps no less $$ -- is an upgraded torque converter. I think a guy on this board (onlykor?) has done this to his A/T WRX and has been running with it for awhile now.

P.S. There's no shame in A/T so just go out and enjoy your wrx safely -- and word of advice -- upgrade the muffler and enjoy the boxer rumble - but stay away from the BOV if you're on a stock turbo/intake system.

cheers!
-- Dendrobium

what is the problem with the BOV though? and yea, i wanna be able to hear the engine's noise

IIRC -- another obstacle between A/T and M/T (and the reason why engine electronics and ECU swap is likely very important as 5zigen mentioned) is that the M/T AWD uses a 50/50 viscous center diff (non-electronically controlled), while the A/T AWD system (WRX's at least) use the VTD electronically controlled clutch pack center diff that distributes 45/55.

My manual wrx is 50/50? I was told it was 40 front 60 rear?

And doesn't VTD stand for Variable Torque Distribution, which according the Subaru site, is an optional upgrade for the auto WRX? I know nadda about the autos just what I've read.. And you never believe what you read.

And doesn't VTD stand for Variable Torque Distribution, which according the Subaru site, is an optional upgrade for the auto WRX? I know nadda about the autos just what I've read.. And you never believe what you read.

I don't know why the Subaru Canada website lists the VTD as optional on WRX's -- I'd imagine it's the same for CDM and USDM.

And the Sti is a different animal again with normal 35/65 split VTD, DCCD, and helical front LSD, rear mech LSD, + yaw sensors.. good stuff!

As to BOV's -- IIRC -- though BOV's add the cool "pssh!" sound -- most BOV's vent to the atmosphere, and this will very likely screw up the fuel mixture your ECU "thinks" it's delivering. Your poor ECU doesn't realize that your new BOV is blowing all that the pressurized air from your turbo system out into the environment rather than diverting it back into the intake tract like the stock system does. Unless you have an aftermarket fuel delivery system (which usually goes along with other upgrades like FMIC and bigger turbos, etc.) a BOV on your stock WRX will likely give you *worse* performance, may harm your engine over time, and will very likely affect your warranty

The MT to 5sp swap is v.easy. The ECU doesn't seem to matter - and the rest of the wiring is pretty simply. All I had to do was loop one wire in the tranny connector socket to bypass the clutch start inhibitor and away it went.

I swaped the pedals and all that crap. You need to get all that stuff.

If you wanted to spend 3.5K for a IV STI WRX tranny, hydro clutch, and 4.44 final drive and EVERYTHING else you could possibly need (including advice) - I could probably hook you up. I might even do the work for you. The STI clutch and 4.44 final drive makes driving way more fun.